Body Language and Communication

Last update: April, 2025

Impact of body language in effective communication

 Have you ever asked yourself…

“What does my body language really say about me?”

“What do people assume the moment they see me?”

“Does nonverbal communication actually impact how I am perceived?”

Or even, “Can body language be interpreted accurately at all?”

If any of those questions resonate with you, keep reading—this article will not give you a one-size-fits-all decoding chart (because that is not how body language works), but it will shift the way you think about presence, perception, and connection.

You will not find a list of ‘if they cross their arms, it means X’—because communication is more complex than that. But what you will find is a practical, thoughtful lens to help you understand what your body may be saying, even when your mouth is not.

Impact of body language myths and common beliefs

We like simple things—clear, easy-to-understand rules we can rely on. That is likely why you have heard things like: “If someone crosses their arms, they are closed to the discussion.” But what if they are just cold, hungry, or simply comfortable? Should you assume someone is lying just because they scratched their nose? That would be an oversimplification—and if it were true, we would all be expert body language readers, still, relying only on words… Interesting!

Think about it: if each gesture had a specific meaning, there would be credible, universal dictionaries listing them. Instead, you will find books that claim to do this, but very few can be backed up by science.

The truth is, linking a gesture directly to a meaning is one of the biggest mistakes people make when exploring nonverbal communication. Context, intention, and patterns matter. The body speaks—but only if you know how to listen without jumping to conclusions.

Body language is like any other language, it is made of words, punctuation and nuances

You might start thinking that, if we can’t put a label on gestures, perhaps, there is no point to learn more about body language and non-verbal communication. Rest reassured that paying attention to body language is still a very effective way to develop your communication skills to create positive interactions and stronger relationships.

You can not truly understand a gesture without a context and, perhaps, additional gestures and non-verbal signals. When you try to associate a gesture with a specific meaning, it is like taking a word and assuming the full sentence around it. 

Like any other language, body language consists of words, sentences and punctuation. Each gesture is like a single word, and a word may have several different meanings. It is only when you put the word into a sentence with other words that you can fully understand its meaning. 

Gestures come in ‘sentences’ and invariably tell the truth about a person’s feelings or attitudes.

Body language signals intent, not a specific meaning. Learning to read body language, then, is a matter of learning to understand other people's intents, not their specific conscious thoughts.

Body language awareness: How body language shapes your communication?

We often say that body language does not lie and that it is louder than words. That is why some people believe they can detect lies just by observing small gestures — like where someone looks or how they move their hands. If you watched the TV series “Lie to Me”, you might remember how they used non-verbal cues to uncover the truth. But even in the show, they never relied on one gesture alone. They looked at patterns, clusters of signs, and the full context.

Unless you are Dr Lightman, with his lab and team of experts, your interest in body language is probably more practical — using it to connect better, understand others more deeply, and improve your overall communication. So instead of trying to play detective, start paying attention to the signals that give you insight into how people feel and engage.

Below are a few non-verbal cues you can observe in everyday conversations.

What body language can tell you in a conversation:

• Length of answers: Are they giving short, clipped replies or full, open responses?

• Orientation: Is their body facing you or turned slightly away?

• Movement: Are they animated and expressive or still and reserved?

• Energy: Do they seem energised and engaged or flat and uninterested?

• Facial expression: are they smiling or neutral/tight-lipped?

• Eye contact: Are they meeting your eyes comfortably, avoiding it, or overdoing it?

• Posture: Are they upright and open or closed off and slouched?

• Gestures: Are their hands involved in the conversation or kept still and hidden?

• Pauses: Are there long silences that signal discomfort or time to reflect?

Use these cues not to judge but to understand. The goal is not to decode people—it is to connect.

Body language awareness: How to read body language as a listener?

Your own body language matters just as much when you are on the receiving end of communication. 

Ask yourself:

Are you showing genuine interest—nodding, making eye contact, asking follow-up questions?

Or are you distracted, waiting to respond, or focused elsewhere?

As a listener, observing body language helps you grasp more than just the words being said. You can sense the speaker’s engagement, enthusiasm, discomfort, impatience or even anger. Non-verbal signals give you valuable clues about their emotional state, confidence, and intent.

By developing your ability to notice, you also develop empathy, emotional intelligence, and deeper listening skills. Becoming a great observer leads to more effective communication.

📖 Want to sharpen your skills? Read: “Do you know how to read body language like an expert?’.

Impact of body language: How to use body language as a speaker

When you are speaking, your message is shaped by far more than your words. Your posture, gestures, facial expressions, and tone all influence how your message is received.

Imagine you are asking your boss for time off to care for your sick child. They reply:

“Do whatever you want.”

Now, picture this sentence said in two different ways:

• Calm tone, warm expression = genuine approval

• Impatient tone, stiff posture = hidden disapproval or resentment

Same words. Different meaning. This is why how you say something matters just as much—if not more—than what you say.

Also, consider the other person. If they are not making eye contact, clearly distracted or multitasking, your message will likely be lost. Timing matters. Observing their body language can tell you whether it is worth speaking now—or later.

Two key takeaways to improve your non-verbal communication

• Stop trying to decode single gestures—they are not reliable in isolation

• Start focusing on how you say things, not just what you say

Before you go… take a moment to reflect

• When was the last time you paid more attention to someone’s tone than their words? What did it reveal?

• Do you notice how your own body reacts when you feel confident, nervous or disengaged?

• In your next conversation, what will you focus on—your words or your presence?

• Are you making space to observe, or just rushing to respond?

• What signals are you sending, without even realising it?

Curious to explore further? Keep learning—your body is always speaking.

Maud Vanhoutte | Facilitator and Coach

Discover 3 Training Courses That Promote Body Language

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Body Language Workshop

Advanced Communication Training Course

Listening Skills Training Program